G Harishankar

Songs featuring the kanjira maestro in connection with his death anniversary on February 11.

G Harishankar, one of the greatest exponents of the kanjira, was a prodigy who amazed the Carnatic music world. He learnt the art from his father Govinda Rao and later from Ramanathapuram C S Murughaboopathy. Harishankar also had training under the legendary mridangam genius Palghat Mani Iyer at Rishi Valley. Harishankar’s dexterity was unmatched and his tonal quality, speed, his quick grasp of the mathematical complexities, unparalleled. Harishankar was also adept at playing the mridangam. Surprisingly, he played mridangam with left hand and Kanjira with right hand. G Harishankar is responsible for furthering the complexity of modern kanjira playing in terms of advanced techniques for speed, power, rhythmic complexity and beauty in phrasing.